He thanked the Gambia government for hosting the media engagement held in the country.
Adams stated that the decision to host AIPS in The Gambia was not incidental but reflected on the country's architecture, adding that the new national sports policy, progress sports bill and deep collaboration with continental and international sporting institutions are advanced.
"The building blocks of long-term sports development are recognised. Sports Journalism is not peripheral to sports development. It is central to credibility, accountability, growth and legacy," Minister Adams said.
He thanked Senegal’s Sports Minister Khady Diene for her strong leadership in sport, saying Dakar would host the 2026 Youth Games.
"In 2026, being the first African country to host such a big event is not a little thing,” he said. “This reflects on investments for sustainable platform that reminds us that sports journalism is not peripheral to sports development. But it is central to credibility, accountability, growth and legacy."
Minister Adams stated that across Africa, people speak passionately about the power of sport as they recognize its ability to unite communities, inspire young people, protect national identity, strengthen diplomacy, improve public health and contribute to economic growth.
He pointed out that sports contribute about 2% of US$1 trillion in combined global economic output when indirect benefits are included.
"This growth is not accidental,” he said. “It is driven by deliberate policy choices, discipline, investment, media monetization, and infrastructure planning.”
He also spoke about farm centered economic models, saying media rights alone account for about 45% of global sports revenue, which has been estimated to be about US$225 billion from annual sponsorship, and that advertisement contributes around US$80 billion.
Veering unto ECOWAS zone, the Ghana sports minister said the sub-region “currently has no active, enforceable regional sports development framework” with binding funding mechanisms.
“Outside football, most disciplines remain heavily dependent on direct government support," he noted.
Minister Adams commended Morocco, saying the North African nation has aligned sports with national planning, diplomacy and economic planning.
He further said investments in infrastructure, academies and club governance have positioned the country to host major competitions and prepare confidently for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
